After the celebrations of AT1 turning 18 months old, our eldest cub woke up on the morning of the 21st with a whole new persona. Whilst the youngest members of the pride bounced around and playfully chased birds by waterhole two, AT1 looked on with little enthusiasm, clearly realising she had come of age and was now too mature for all these shenanigans the cubs were displaying.

During our midday research session on the 22nd she showed our team what a true lioness she is becoming with her hunting prowess on full display. Along with Narnia and Nala, AT1 skulked and stalked towards a herd of impala that were drinking from waterhole one. With Nala and Narnia flanking left and right respectfully, AT1 approached directly and pushed the impala towards a waiting Narnia. As quick as a flash Narnia was chasing through the thickets in Amboseli but this time the impala managed to flee before they became a lunchtime snack for the pride.

Phyre

It has been interesting to note recently that Phyre is beginning to actively partake in a lot more hunts that she has in the past. Previously renowned for not being the most ‘pro active’ when it comes to hunting, the research team are beginning to see more and more interest from Phyre in this favourite past time of the pride.

Who knows, perhaps we will see a solo hunt and kill from Phyre at some point soon!

On the 24th the site was entered on a somewhat sombre note as our resident researcher Rae Kokes bid her farewells to the Ngamo pride - Rae is relocating to our Livingstone project site. However the Ngamo pride were determined to see her leave on a high note and after some intense stalking in the Valley area the females managed to nab themselves an impala.

Ashanti

Once again it was a silent and deadly kill with only a few growls giving away the surprise. We obtained a fantastic visual of Ashanti and Kenge's cubs thoroughly enjoying some skinny legs and hooves. True to form, more dominant Ashanti was making sure Narnia kept her lower ranking distance from she and the cubs and screamed towards her when she tip-toed too closely.

After 20mins the impala had vanished leaving some very red lions and one very happy researcher on her last morning.